As Director of Advanced Planning for Baird, Tim is responsible for researching, writing and speaking on important planning issues that impact the clients of Baird. This includes topics related to retirement and estate planning, tax law, executive compensation, business owners, legislative changes, and overall best practices.

Tim originally joined Baird in 1999 serving in a variety of planning- oriented roles. He left Baird in 2019 to join the Advisor Education team at PIMCO, before returning to Baird in 2021. Prior to 1999, Tim worked in Arthur Andersen’s Private Client Services group in Milwaukee where he specialized in tax and financial planning. His clients included corporate executives, business owners and families.

Tim earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois in 1991. He is a Certified Public Accountant/Personal Financial Specialist, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a Certified Private Wealth AdvisorSM professional and a member of the American and Wisconsin Institutes of CPAs, Investments & Wealth Institute (IWI) and the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Commentary from Tim on a wide range of financial planning topics has been featured in national, regional and trade media such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Kiplinger’s, U.S. News & World Report, Morningstar, CNBC.com, and InvestmentNews. In addition, he speaks to numerous client and professional groups about tax and financial planning topics and has taught financial planning classes for IWI and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tim also regularly shares his perspectives via Twitter (@TimSteffenCPA) and other social media outlets.

Eric joined Robert W. Baird & Co. in 2021 as a Tax Specialist for Baird Private Wealth Management. Prior to joining Baird, Eric operated his own tax planning firm specializing in alternative retirement plan investments. Throughout his career in tax, investment and corporate finance capacities, Eric helped develop and structure sophisticated financial solutions to meet the unique goals of individuals and institutions.

Eric graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and also holds a Masters of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA. He also holds CPA and CFP® designations as well as a Life Insurance and Disability license in the State of Washington.

Kelsey Clair joined Robert W. Baird & Co. in 2020. Kelsey is currently the Senior Tax Strategist for Baird's Private Wealth Management Group. Kelsey's role focuses on identifying strategic planning opportunities based on a client's current and future tax situation. She is also responsible for researching, writing, and speaking on important tax issues that impact Baird clients.

Prior to joining Baird in 2020, Kelsey was responsible for providing tax compliance and tax planning services to high net-worth individuals and privately held businesses at Dixon Hughes Goodman, LLP (now FORVIS, LLP).

Kelsey graduated from the University of South Carolina with both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Accountancy with a focus in taxation.

Kelsey is a Certified Public Accountant with the North Carolina State Board of Public Accountant Examiners.

Matt is a Wealth Planner and Vice President at Baird, having joined the firm in July 2024. Matt has worked in the financial services industry for 18 years with the past 10 coming in a retirement planning and wealth planning capacity. Matt holds both his Certified Financial Planner™, as well as the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designations. His passion is for helping individuals and families to define purpose in their wealth journey and to ensure that every client has a meaningful and impactful financial plan. 

Prior to joining the Wealth Planning team at Baird, Matt worked as the Financial Planning Director for the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Dakotas markets at Morgan Stanley and additionally the Midwest Regional Manager for Retirement Education. and Planning Services at Transamerica Retirement Solutions. Matt earned his Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Legal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Matt lives in New berlin, Wisconsin with his wife Molly, daughter Isabella, and bordoodle dog Jack. Outside of work, Matt enjoys traveling, all things outdoors (biking, hiking, golfing, lake lounging), and all things Wisconsin Sports.

Sierra joined Baird in 2019 as a Client Assistant with the Client Resource Team. After a short hiatus from Baird, Sierra returned and resumed her same role. Shortly thereafter, she moved to the Associate Financial Advice Team (AFAT), an internal team dedicated solely to assisting current and former associates. During this time, Sierra’s role on the team morphed into one focused on financial planning and advising, which she discovered to be her true passion.

Sierra received her BBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Sierra was a part of the UW-O Cheerleading team and the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Sierra holds her Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation in March of 2024.

Sierra and her husband, Andy, reside in the Third Ward in Milwaukee but hope to move back to their hometown of Oconomowoc in the near future. In her free time, Sierra coaches All Star cheerleading for Element Athletics MKE, likes to play with her dog, Ace, and spend time with friends and family.

Jim joined Baird's Private Wealth Management team in September of 2021 as an Assistant Vice President and Estate Planner, working out of the Milwaukee office. He works with Baird Financial Advisors, their clients, and the clients' other professionals to promote the benefit of estate planning and assist with the development of clients' estate plans. Specifically, his responsibilities include reviewing and discussing existing estate plans, answering estate planning questions, and presenting on estate planning topics.

Jim comes to Baird from Halling & Cayo, S.C., a Milwaukee law firm, where his practice focused on estate planning, probate, guardianship, and family law. While at Halling & Cayo, Jim presented at continuing legal education seminars for the National Business Institute and the Milwaukee Bar Association. He also served as chair of the Family Law Section of the Milwaukee Bar Association. Prior to coming to Milwaukee, Jim was a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

A native of Wisconsin, Jim graduated from Lawrence University with degrees in Music Education and Performance and earned his J.D. from Hamline University School of Law.

Eric joined Baird in 2006 and has more than 25 years of experience in retirement planning, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, small business plans, and IRAs. He serves as a resource for Baird Financial Advisors and their clients.

Prior to joining Baird, Eric administered retirement plans at Emjay Retirement Services and assisted individual investors at Strong Financial Corporation.

Eric is FINRA Series 7 and 63 licensed, and state insurance licensed.

Jamie joined Baird in 2008. His primary duties include managing the relationships with the insurance company partners, evaluating existing annuity contracts and providing product expertise on today’s insured solutions.

Prior to joining Baird, Jamie spent ten years working at Financial Institutions Marketing Company (FIMCO). He was a Regional External Wholesaler and was responsible for marketing and distributing annuity solutions to financial institutions across the country.

Jamie graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (summa cum laude) with a bachelor degree in Business Administration, majoring in both Finance and Marketing. He also holds his WI life license along with his FINRA Series 7 & 63. In 2013, Jamie obtained his Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation from the College of Financial Planning.

Jamie and his wife Nicole have three children, ages 8, 11 and 13. Outside of work, Jamie enjoys playing sports with the family and attending various community events. Jamie currently serves on his local school board.

Jeannette is the Education Planning Consultant for Baird, where she has worked in the 529 and education planning space since 2007. She has been with Baird since 2004. She was the Marketing Specialist for Baird Investment Management (BIM) from 2004 to 2007 before she joined the 529/UIT Team and then later transitioned to her newest role as the Education Planning Consultant for Baird. Prior to joining Baird, she worked at Strong Investments in various roles including Retirement Plan Services Plan Coordinator and Customer Service Specialist.

Jeannette leverages her expertise in client and prospect meetings discussing different strategies for saving for education and supports Baird’s Financial Advisors and Client Specialists in understanding the benefits of 529s, education planning and how to utilize these products in their book of business. She also develops marketing campaigns and produces several education planning articles.

Jeannette is an active member of the Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association’s (SIFMA) 529 Working Group and attends the 529 Conference each year to share best practices and network with other industry experts.

Jeannette stays current with the industry regulations as it relates to 529s to further assist the FAs and CSs with their client inquiries. She maintains relationships with the 529 Program Managers and industry peers to provide further tools, toolkits, resources, and sales ideas to the field.

Jeannette earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She holds the FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses. Jeannette, her husband Scott and two sons Connor and Camden reside in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Laurence currently manages and leads the Equity Compensation Planning Team, and partners closely with Private Wealth Management’s (PWM) Financial Advisor teams and clients on the complex and impactful strategies regarding equity compensation. His expertise covers issues related to stock options, restricted stock, 10b5-1 trading plans, and other regulatory topics related to Securities law. Most importantly, he advises on how equity compensation plays a meaningful role in our client’s broader financial lives. Prior to becoming manager of this team in 1999, Laurence served in a variety of capacities at Baird since joining in 1995.

Laurence is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, is a member of the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals, and he holds the Series 7 and 63 licenses.